The 23rd Annual Fall Exhibition & SaleSept 18 to 30th, 2023
Brunswick Arts Council Annual Visual Arts Show
This annual event began in 2000 and each year we rotate the show to a different venue. Join us for our 23rd year this September 2023 at Free Spirit Conservatory, Sunset Beach, NC.
This year’s Judge is to be announced when the entry forms are posted online in May.
Many small community arts groups (photographers, painters, pottery, etc.) around the county come together to help make this annual juried arts show happen. There are different categories and award levels.
New to the area or been here forever? Share what inspires you to create with your fellow Brunswick artists & residents – we encourage you to enter your work!
2022 AWARDS
BAC Best of Show Award
“Ibis in Flight”- Stephen Sullivan
Two-Dimensional
First Place – “Flower Girls”- Ann Hair
2nd Place – “Follow the Sun”- Chris Bloom
3rd Place- ”Safe Harbor”- Richard Staat
Photography
First Place Photography “In the End”- Patricia Graney
2nd place- “A Filament of Light”- Charlene Baggett
3rd place “Oak Island Light”- Karen Mortimore
Three-Dimensional
First Place-“Windswept”, Richard Caffrey
2nd Place- “Path to the Beach”, Chuck Whitlock
3rd Place- ”Pipeline Crew”, Linda Drye
Teen
First Place Teen 2D “Checkers”, James McMahon
First Place Teen 3D-“Hange Zoe”, Kat Totten
Special Awards:
Victor Gerloven Memorial Award – “Another Scorcher”, Carol Yaquinto
Associated Artists of Southport Award – “The Old Dock”-Rich O’Donnell
Oak Island Art Guild Award -”Gentle Peace”- Janet Tripplett
Waterway Art Association Award. -”Luxembourg Garden”- Caroline Brizzolara Art League of Leland Award- “Wood/ Resin Hollow Form”- John Lowder
Ramona Bastford Bendin Oil Award- “The Golden Hour”- Janet B. Sessoms
Merit Awards
1) ”Gladioli”- Cathy Johnson
2) “Sunday Brunch”- Ann Thompson
3) “Gone Crabbin”- Missy Mohn Schwartz
4) “Tumbling Blocks”- Debbie Appleby
5) “The Wedding Dance”- James D Sampson
6) “Contempt”- Laura Totten
7) “Lazy Leopard”- Michael Tillack
8) “Cher”-Suzanne Mills Winkler
Honorable Mention Awards
1) “Mr. Jorng”- Nancy Schulte
2) “Ollie”- Carol McConnell
3) “Southern Comfort”- Ricardo Perez
4) “Cold Blue”- Anne Reilly
5) “Pathway”-Laurie Elsea
6) “Ocean Life”- Paula Evans
7) “Darren Walter Jr.”-Frederick Truelove
8) “Flutterby”- Shelby Hansen Tizani
Best of Show First Place Two Dimensional Ibis in Flight Flower Girls Oil on canvas. Oil on canvas Stephen Sullivan. Ann Hair
First Place Photography Windswept Photograph.
First Place 3 Dimensional Resin & Wire Patricia Graney. Richard Caffrey
Ramona Batsford Bendin Oil Award* The Golden Hour Oil on canvas Janet B Sessoms
BAC Mural Program
Creating Public Art across Brunswick County is one of the goals adapted by the Board of Directors in Fall 2019.
If you have a building/wall or space in Brunswick County that you would like to have painted – contact the Arts Council and we can see about partnering to help move your ideas for public art forward!
The Holden Beach 2020 Mural
The first piece was created at Holden Beach design by Gaetin Lowrie & Nancy Turner. Sherwin Williams of Holden Beach donated the pain and materials.
Using an Under the Ocean Theme & and a Paint by Numbers technique, the mural was painted in March 2020. The Run for the Arts scheduled to begin & end at the mural was cancelled due to the 1st case of Covid19 announced in Brunswick County on the day of the race.
Join us for March 2021 as we tackle another mural at Holden Beach & the 2nd Run for the Arts.
My Community Mural
Tell us about your community project and mural idea. Don’t forget to provide your name, organization (if you are requesting on behalf on one), contact information, cell/email/text and bit about the idea.
Mural Program Sponsored by the Town of Holden Beach, NC
The 2023 Festival is in the Works!
The Brunswick County Intercultural Festival is better than ever! This year’s event is planned with several activities in October. A day of music, dance, International village & craft vendors & food will be at RiverwalkPark on October 8. Followed by concerts at Odell Williamson Auditorium on October 13 & 14.
The Festival Committee
The Brunswick County Intercultural Festival committee is a group of community, volunteers, residents, and different organizations. We meet monthly at the BEMC meeting room on route 17 from 11 AM to 12:30 PM.
May 11
June 15
July 13
August 10
September 14
September 28
Contacts
Festival Chairperson
MariLou Wong Chong
Interculturalfestival@hotmail.com
Cultural Performances
Larry Johnson
Facility/Logistics
- Keith Harris
Cultural Vendors & Food Trucks
Mary Beth Livers
The Billboard Contest is underway!
Young people and adults are tempted by alcohol and drugs for decades. Laws are passed and changed, and we continue to fight against alcohol and drug abuse as part of our mental, physical, and emotional health with our families and in our communities.
False glamour, peer pressure, and media attached to these issues have ruined far too many lives.
We ask our youth to develop their own solutions to the challenges they face. According to American for the Arts – 72% of Americans believe arts unify us regardless of age, race or ethnicity – and through the use of arts “we can change the conversation.”
Contest
This contest is open to all youth from ages 8 to 18 years old from Brunswick County.
We ask our youth to design and create posters that communicate a message of sobriety, and the dangers of substance abuse.
They can select from the following Design Topics: Awareness, Recovery, and Education.
Form to submit with drawing:
Prizes:
Six (6) Final Winning Designs will be chosen by a panel of representatives from Brunswick County, including CARE, DEWAA, MADE, Brunswick Arts Council, BACK OFF, Teachers, and Lamar Billboard Company. The images chosen will serve as the images used for community campaigns, including billboards, social media, and other marketing options.
Winning students and their art teacher(s) will receive a combined AWARD AMOUNT total $250 gift card for each final winning design selected ($125 to student & $125 to teacher for art supplies). We hope that award presentations will take place at the upcoming June meeting of the Brunswick County Commissioner’s Meeting at the County Administrative Building in Bolivia.
Questions
For questions or more information, contact Mary Beth Livers at Brunswick Arts Council at 910.448.2713 or email Execdir.
Cinebay Film Festival is rolling!
For its first year in 2022, BAC was pleased to initially host this event as part of the solstice by the sea festival in the summer.
This year in 2023, we are even prouder that our Film Arts community has grown and we are now partners with the Cinebay Film Festival!
Cinebay is a festival that focuses on curating family-friendly-short films over various genres.
2022 was the year of the festival’s inception, screening narrative, documentary, animation short films as well as multiple music videos. This year the festival will take place in the fall on October 28 at the AMUZU in Southport.
Join us for our first carnival film workshop screening and for the 2nd annual film festival in the beautiful historic downtown Southport, NC.
Awards & Prizes
$350 for Best Film Award
Film Competition Rules
The following rules govern all film submissions to the Cinebay Film Festival, (“CBFF” or the “Festival “).
Please Note: only Films that are submitted will be considered for competition. We only except short films, no film longer than 30 minutes, that our family friendly, we do not accept films of explore, sex, or sexuality in any form, nor do we except films with hard obscene violence or profane language. See film freeway.com for complete regulations.
Call for Entries
Click this button to find out how to submit your film, or for more information about the festival.
Teen Film Making Workshop
Registration information will be available and open at the end of May, 2023.
This workshop will be held at work library in Shallotte at the end of July 24-27. Rising ninth graders through 12th graders are eligible to register. there will only be 12 spaces available.
Taught by Sheena Vaught, Film Maker, and owner of Tower 5 Media, the final product will be shown at the Cinebay Film Festival in October.
This is a collaborative program between Tower 5 Media, Brunswick Arts Council, Rourk Library and Brunswick County; and is made possible in part through funds from BEMC community grants.
Dancing On Air
Dancing on Air is in its 5th season of offering free weekly dance classes to communities across the county. We have worked with the Calabash, Cedar Grove, Navassa communities in collaboration with Wilmington Ballet, Brunswick Ballet & Inspirations Dance Studio to offer weekly
Classes were put on hiatus due to Covid19. We are now looking to start this program again, FALL 2023, stay tuned for the upcoming program.
1) Navassa .Contact Shawnta’ Graham at Navassa Community Center, 338 Main St. at 910.880.3300; and
2) Cedar Grove . Contact Sandra Robinson at Cedar Grove Community Center, 1529 Turkey trap Rd SW at 910.880.3300
Public Performances
Dancing on Air has performed in December at the Southport Winterfest Celebration. In 2019, they were also able to experience performing on stage at Odel working in a scene from The Nutcracker.
Master Classes
Dancing on Air students were able to attend a Master class in February 2020 held by Alvin Ailey II Troupe in Navassa. They were able to learn some of the most iconic Ailey dance movements, including sections of choreography from Revelations.
Dancing On Air Sponsors
Listen Up Brunswick County Series
This beloved county series created by Jeannie and Ron Dufour will continue in the fall of 2023.
The purpose of this performance series is to bring great experiences to residence and guests of Brunswick County.
Join us for Arts Events that make a difference by partnering with different nonprofits. Proceeds from these concerts and performances help support our local artists schools and programs.
For fall 2023 we are partnering with the North Carolina Rice Festival, Free Spirit Conservancy of the Arts, and the Brunswick County Intercultural Festival.
Will be posting activities later this spring.
Literary Arts in Brunswick
Cape Fear Voices & Teen Scene
Brunswick Arts Council has been proud to support this monthly publication almost since it’s inception in North Carolina. This team of dedicated community members write, design, and publish both hardcopy and digitally.
Cape Fear Voices features, articles, and pieces contributed by local residents on current happenings, topics of interest & culture/historic pieces.
To contribute, find out more or subscribe contact Cape Fear Voices Editor:
Teen Scene is a publication designed and created by our talented students. In fact, over 80 teens from across the county participate in the Teen Scene.
Each spring, an awards ceremony & banquet is held to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments.
https://cfvts.org/13633/cape-fear-voices/teen-scene-writers-award-banquet-in-the-news/
To contribute, find out more or subscribe contact Teen Scene Editor:
Editions & Read
Click here for a digital edition of the paper.
Literary Arts Academy
This talented team of community members have worked with several schools, and community centers to offer this program to supplement and hone writing skills amongst our students.
If you would like more information on how to offer this free program to your library, school community center or home school, please contact the editor.
To read some of the student works:
https://cfvts.org/category/schools/leland-middle-school/
Third Thursday Poetry
Join this free monthly zoom meeting and get tips from other county poets, share your work, or enjoy and listen to the works of others. This program is hosted by Author, Joan Leotta and funded by Brunswick Arts Council.
For the link to this months meeting contact
NEA Big Read Program
Brunswick Arts Council has participated in this multi-county program with UNCW for the last several years.
Copies of books are gifted to our local county libraries, schools and groups, wish to participate in reading the selected book.
BAC also selects a complementary children’s level book and offers arts programming around the book at each public library.
We partner with different nonprofit organizations in our county to hold these fun activities
Next Level Art Workshop
Leland Cultural Arts Center
This workshop is geared for visual artists, (two and three dimensional) interested in learning more about art shows. How to enter, how to select the right piece, exhibit ready techniques, and judging criteria.
About the Teacher
Performing Arts in Brunswick
Our musicians, dancers, actors and community programs are growing.
You can find out what’s happening throughout the year:
AMUZU Theatre
Bridge Dance Arts
Brunswick Big Bands
Brunswick County Schools
Brunswick County Parks & Rec
Brunswick Little Theatre
Brunswick School of Dance
Brunswick Shag Society
Coastal Dance Academy
Dynamic Dance Force
Free Spirit Conservancy for the Arts
Inspiration Dance Centre
Leland Cultural Arts Center
Odell Williamson Auditorium
Rhythm and Dance Company
Seaside Dance
Shoreline Dance
Southshore Dance Academy
Starbright Youth Theatre
Up Your Arts
Working with Save A Vet Now, Brunswick Arts Council has the opportunity to offer free art classes. If you would like your local community center, rec center or legion or post to host a 6 week program for vets & families, please contact us at 910.448.2713 to set up this program in your community.
We provide the teacher, supplies & fun!
Scholarship Program
Each year, the Brunswick Arts Council provides two or more $1,000 scholarships to Brunswick County High School students. Graduating seniors from across the county, West Brunswick, South Brunswick , North Brunswick, Early College High School as well as home schooled and charter schools with an interest in pursuing Arts in college are eligible.
In 2022, BAC provided three (3) separate scholarships:
See you on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Franklin Square Park, Southport!
WANT TO BE A VENDOR? Arts & Crafts, Food or Community groups welcome!
Workshops
“Ekphrastic Art Workshop”
Pre-registration only – class size 30 people. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Sharon Wozniak Spencer (Visual Arts)
Join us at this special workshop as part of the BAC Visual Arts Committee. We are pleased to present this opportunity to create your visual art portion of the Ekphrastic workshop taught by Sharon Wozniak Spencer. exploring poetry & music through the expression and creation of visual art. Open to 30 students (high-school through adults/silver-seniors), this class will be a powerful experience to work with a college Fine Arts teacher and professional artist.
Joan Leotta (Poetry)
Join us at this special workshop as part of the BAC Literary Arts Committee. We are pleased to present this poetry portion of the Ekphrastic workshop taught by Joan Leotta exploring visual art through the expression and creation of poetry. Open to 30 students (high-school through adults/silver-seniors), this class will be a powerful experience to work with a master craftsman and wordsmith.
Perry Smith (Drumming & Movement)
Perry is with Turning the Wheel – a national group that provides all kinds of programming to children, schools and communities. Turning the Wheel Wilmington has brought play, movement, and transformation to the Greater Wilmington community since 1999. A wide range of exciting programs are offered throughout the year, including vibrant Community ROMPS!, enriching school projects, and “The Body Now” workshops for adults and educators. What a great opportunity to “move it,”
Varied
BAC is in the process of creating a series of workshops in a variety of categories – including professional development series for artists.
We are looking forward to seeing you this December 9th, 2023 for this year’s Winterfest 2023!
The 22nd Annual Fall Exhibition & SaleSept 26th- Oct 8th 2022
Brunswick Arts Council Annual Visual Arts Show
This annual event began in 2000 and each year we rotate the show to a different venue. Join us for our 22nd year this September, 2022 at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, in Leland, NC.
Many small community arts groups (photographers, painters, pottery, etc.) around the county come together to help make this annual juried arts show happen. There are different categories and award levels.
New to the area or been here forever? Share what inspires you to create with your fellow Brunswick artists & residents – we encourage you to enter your work!
Ready to get involved? We need volunteers to help make this show a success! If you are interested in volunteering, download the application below and email it to us at execdir.brunswickartscouncil@gmail.com
Arts & Parts Runway Show
Runway Artist Call
We are excited to announce the 2nd annual Arts & Parts Fashion & Costume Runway Contest. Recycled fashions must be made of at least 75% recycled or reused materials that otherwise would be thrown away or recycled. Vintage clothes on their own will not be accepted. Complete outfits are recommended. Only one prize per designer.
How to participate: (Adults & Seniors) and June 18 :
- For Adult/Senior entries and show will be at our Solstice by the SEA Festival at Middleton Park on Oak Island, NC. FREE Entry. Must register in advance using online entry form below. “Runway show” style feel in daylight on an outdoor stage. It will be covered and in the shade. Contestants are encouraged to strut their recycled stuff on stage at our Solstice by the SEA Festival June 18, 2022. Arts & Parts Runway contestant Must be over 21 to enter. Entry fee $25. Register to enter using the online form below. Please note that children & relatives of BAC employees and Board members may submit an entry, but are not eligible to win cash prizes. All awards will be determined by an outside judge.
Prizes- Adult $150 1st place, 2nd Ribbon, 3rd Ribbon. Senior $100 1st place, 2nd Place Ribbon, 3rd Place Ribbon. Fascinator Hat $100 1st Place, 2nd Place Ribbon, 3rd Place Ribbon. $50 for “People’s Choice. “ You may design a: 1) complete outfit or 2) fascinator hat by itself. Entries may be limited or capped. Accepted entries will be notified and will receive one (1) “Artist Pass” to allow them to participate in the event. You must model and wear your entry on the runway. Family & friends must purchase an event ticket to view runway portion of the evening. Please note that BAC employees and Board members may submit an entry, but are not eligible to win cash prizes. All awards will be determined by an outside judge.
- Youth entries show will be at our 2nd Annual Solstice by the SEA Festival June 18, 2022, at Middleton Park on Oak Island, NC. FREE Entry. Must register in advance using online entry form below. The youth runway show will be “Runway show” style feel in daylight on an outdoor stage. It will be covered and in the shade. Contestants are encouraged to strut their recycled stuff on stage at our Solstice by the SEA Festival June 18, 2022. Entry is Free. 1st Place Ribbon, 2nd Place Ribbon, 3rd Place Ribbon. Please note that children & relatives of BAC employees and Board members may submit an entry, but are not eligible to win cash prizes. All awards will be determined by an outside judge.
We hope to display the outfits from both events Fashion Show online and our BAC YouTube channel so folks that missed the show can still see your works of art.
For creative up-cyclers and recyclers of all ages! Tape, trash bags, Styrofoam, paper….the list of materials is limited only by your imagination.
Look online and get inspired! Look in the recycling bin, or junk drawer and see what you can find to turn into an outfit. Eco style & Fashion – go traditional or go runway wild!
Show us what you can make!
Entries may be limited or capped.
Here are some Examples:
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Brunswick Arts Council celebrates songwriting, poetry & literature
Feb 19, 2022 1 pm – 5 pm
Inspirations Dance Center
91 W Boiling Spring Drive
Southport, NC
Class size – 20 people – to register contact:
Execdir.brunswickartscouncil@gmail.com
BAC Mural Program
Creating Public Art across Brunswick County is one of the goals adapted by the Board of Directors in Fall 2019.
If you have a building/wall or space in Brunswick County that you would like to have painted – contact the Arts Council and we can see about partnering to help move your ideas for public art forward!
The Holden Beach 2020 Mural
The first piece was created at Holden Beach design by Gaetin Lowrie & Nancy Turner. Sherwin Williams of Holden Beach donated the pain and materials.
Using an Under the Ocean Theme & and a Paint by Numbers technique, the mural was painted in March 2020. The Run for the Arts scheduled to begin & end at the mural was cancelled due to the 1st case of Covid19 announced in Brunswick County on the day of the race.
Join us for March 2021 as we tackle another mural at Holden Beach & the 2nd Run for the Arts.
My Community Mural
Tell us about your community project and mural idea. Don’t forget to provide your name, organization (if you are requesting on behalf on one), contact information, cell/email/text and bit about the idea.
Mural Program Sponsored by the Town of Holden Beach, NC
FREE EVENT Bring your coolers and lawn chairs to Franklin Square Park. Join Brunswick Arts Council for a great day of celebrating all things Celtic. Storytelling, Dancing, Children’s Crafts, Highlands Games, and Live Music. SEE LINEUP BELOW
HIghland Games include- Sheaf Toss, Haggis Hurling, Ring Game, Corn Hole, Sheep Toss, May Pole, Sisters of Hibernia children’s crafts and activities, BAC Wish Tent
Lineup
Donate Now!
Dancing On Air
Dancing on Air is in its 5th season of offering free weekly dance classes to communities across the county. We have worked with the Calabash, Cedar Grove, Navassa communities in collaboration with Wilmington Ballet, Brunswick Ballet & Inspirations Dance Studio to offer weekly classes in Navassa (Monday evenings) and Cedar Grove (Wednesday evenings).
Funding for this program is received from NC Arts Council, Brunswick County, Leland Rotary Club with donation of in-kind supplies and ballet shoes from Sansha.
Classes were put on hiatus due to Covid19. We are now looking to start this program again, FALL 2022, stayed tuned for the upcoming program.
1) Navassa 6-8pm on Monday. Contact Shawnta’ Graham at Navassa Community Center, 338 Main St. at 910.880.3300; and
2) Cedar Grove 6-8 pm on Wednesday. Contact Sandra Robinson at Cedar Grove Community Center, 1529 Turkey trap Rd SW at 910.880.3300
Public Performances
Dancing on Air has performed in December at the Southport Winterfest Celebration. In 2019, they were also able to experience performing on stage at Odel working in a scene from The Nutcracker.
Master Classes
Dancing on Air students were able to attend a Master class in February 2020 held by Alvin Ailey II Troupe in Navassa. They were able to learn some of the most iconic Ailey dance movements, including sections of choreography from Revelations.
Dancing On Air Sponsors
RUN for the ARTS
March 13, 2021
The Link to “It’s Go Time Registration” will be posted here later this fall for ease of online sign up.
If you would like to be a sponsor click here for the sponsor categories.
Scholarship Program
Each year, the Brunswick Arts Council provides two or more $1,000 scholarships to Brunswick County High School students. Graduating seniors from across the county, West Brunswick, South Brunswick , North Brunswick, Early College High School as well as home schooled and charter schools with an interest in pursuing Arts in college are eligible.
In 2022, BAC provided three (3) separate scholarships:
The Artist Trail
Are you interested in participating on the Brunswick Arts Trail? Would you like to be listed and have a web page on the site & link to mobile trail? Stay tuned to more information about this new program.
Artists Trail Categories:
- Artist
- Galleries
- Studios
- Cafes & Coffee
- Orgs & Co-ops
- Theatres
- Festivals
- Community Art
- Performance Art
- Classes
Our June 2022 Event was very successful, looking to see you in 2023!
Winterfest 2021 was a huge success! Franklin Square Park was full of craft vendors, food and loads of holiday cheer. Our day of performances were amazing you can see them below! We can’t wait for Winterfest 2022.
Workshops
“Ekphrastic Art Workshop”
Pre-registration only – class size 20 people. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Phillip Shabazz (Poetry)
Join us at this special workshop as part of the BAC Literary Arts Committee, to be held at the Inspirations Dance Centre in Boiling Spring Lakes August 7th. We are pleased to present this poetry portion of the Ekphrastic workshop taught by Phillip Shabazz exploring visual art through the expression and creation of poetry. Open to 20 students (high-school through adults/silver-seniors), this class will be a powerful experience to work with a master craftsman and wordsmith. As a poet, author, and teaching artist, Phillip Shabazz has built an outstanding, extensive, and respected career. His work, which explores issues of community and culture in America, has been acclaimed by the media, critics, and audiences across North Carolina. His writing expresses diverse points of view, from poems about family and friends challenged by the complexities of life, to narratives that celebrate human possibilities.
Nancy Turner (Painting)
Nancy Turner will be teaching the painting portion of this Ekphrastic art workshop. Southport resident and visual artist, Nancy Turner, describes it as a blessing to live in such a beautiful place. Saying that it provides her a constant source of inspiration for art. Landscapes, coastal scenery, and wildlife are common themes in her work. Work that she has perfected on her own, without a formal background in art. Being self-taught, Nancy seeks new artistic opportunities for growth. She opts to take on new types of projects, work with new mediums, and step out of her comfort zone as often as she can. A collaborative project for the “Under the Sea” 30-foot mural at Holden Beach Park is a recent example of this. Yet, like so many artistic pursuits, a great support system is critical. Nancy credits Mary Beth Livers, Executive Director of Brunswick Art Council, for providing her with support for her artistic efforts. She, in turn, pays this support forward by sharing what she knows with others as a teacher of acrylics and alcohol inks in Southport. If you liked to see more from Nancy, you can visit the Lunabelles Art and Gallery in Leland. Or find her work online at Https://Facebook.com/LunabellesShops/ and 2ndHandrose.redbubble.com.
Varied
BAC is in the process of creating a series of workshops in a variety of categories – including professional development series for artists.
Grassroot Grant$
Submission Deadline September 10th, 2021.
